Afghanistan's T20 World Cup Campaign Hit by Analyst's Health Scare
In a distressing development for the Afghanistan cricket team, their performance analyst KC Ramasubramanian suffered a minor heart attack and was hospitalized in New Delhi on Thursday. This incident adds to the team's woes as they grapple with back-to-back defeats in the ongoing 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Analyst Hospitalized After Chest Pain Episode
A source close to the team confirmed the medical emergency, stating, "Yes, the Afghanistan team's performance analyst experienced chest pain yesterday. He had suffered a mild heart attack and was taken to the Fortis hospital. He was given angioplasty and is out of danger and doing better now." Ramasubramanian, who is based in Chennai and is well-liked by the Afghan players, underwent angioplasty and is reported to be recovering.
Afghanistan's Struggles on the Field
The health scare comes amid a challenging start for Afghanistan in the tournament. The Rashid Khan-led side has faced two consecutive losses in Group D:
- They lost their opening match to New Zealand by five wickets in Chennai, failing to defend a target of 182.
- On Wednesday, they endured a heartbreaking defeat against South Africa in a thrilling encounter that went into two Super Overs, after both teams scored 187 in their allotted 20 overs.
These setbacks have put pressure on the team as they prepare for their next crucial match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in New Delhi on Monday.
Impact on Team Morale and Preparations
The hospitalization of Ramasubramanian, a key figure in the team's strategic setup, could affect Afghanistan's preparations. Performance analysts play a vital role in:
- Studying opposition strengths and weaknesses.
- Providing data-driven insights for match strategies.
- Supporting player development through video analysis.
His absence, even temporarily, might disrupt the team's analytical processes ahead of the must-win game against UAE.
As Afghanistan aims to bounce back in the T20 World Cup, the focus now shifts to both on-field performance and the well-being of their support staff. The team will hope for Ramasubramanian's swift recovery while regrouping to salvage their tournament hopes.
